That's a great big question! I got some thoughts and possibly an answer. When I was kid all I ever wanted to be stand-up comedian and cartoonist. No lie. I wanted to be both.
That's all I wanted to do. Tall order. So, I always knew I would do it at some point. I didn't know when. I always kept thinking that maybe I need lose my virginity and then I would be funnier.
I felt like nothing interesting happen to me yet.
Anyway, while in college a one of my teachers who taught my copy writing and advertising class, thought I was really funny and he said I should try stand up.
I don't why he was the guy who inspired me. I don't remember his name. Well, I made an impression on him with my writing and pitches for ideas.
So, I started my stand up career the day before Thanksgiving when I was 23 or so. I can't remember. I did an open mic in a Connecticut comedy club and I had bring 10 people to the show.
One of my friend's got really drunk and heckled every single comedian except me. I was totally embarrassed. I went on stage and I **beast**. Actually, I didn't totally **beast**. At the time, of the show I smoked cigarettes and my plan was to smoke on stage. Just because, I thought it was cool. So, when I got ready for the show I put a clean ashtray in my pocket so I can use it on stage. I don't know why I did it.
I know, this comedy club had ashtrays, but for some reasons I felt like bringing my own ashtray. I light up a smoke on stage, did some of my act and then I pulled out the ashtray out of my pocket.
HUGE LAUGH.
I tried apologize to the other comics for my friends, but they seem pissed.
I tried to do stand up for the 4 years. Whenever I could do it, but my commitment was half assed. Once in while I would go to New York to try to do a mic, but I was afraid to go by myself. I was afraid of getting stab on the street. Some months would go by and I wouldn't do any open mics and I would keep telling myself I was going to go and I wouldn't. When I did open mics, the comics were all 30 years older than me and they did hacky stuff. They did street joke in their act! Jokes you would hear around the office cooler!
The comedy scene in CT was poop. An older comic told me I need to go to NYC. He said "There is nothing for you here. Go where the young kids are doing more alternative stuff."
About a year later I went to the UCB and that was the best thing I did. It's was perfect for me. I loved their improv and then I got super into sketch as well. Those work for me. I put about few years into UCB and now I want to Stand up again. So, now I am doing more stand up. I am having fun and I am happy.
MY ADVICE FOR YOU
Do what you think is funny.
Don't be afraid to fail.
Don't be afraid to take a risk.
Be nice to everyone you meet in comedy.
Don't give in to jealously or hate
Just start doing it already.
At least try.
Are some people just naturally funny but terrible stand ups?
I think, anyone can become better over time. It takes time refine your persona. You can't get discouraged. I have gotten discouraged and didn't help me. I just wasted time with feeling bad about it.
You got to bomb for a long time, before you get good. If you feel like you are not a stand up comic...then try improv comedy. Long form improv. That taps into everyone inner funny. That's where I learned everything there is to know about comedy.
Take an improv class.
It's the best thing I ever did.
Come to NYC or go Chicago.
Break a leg. It's a a lot of fun.
Andy Rocco
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